Mechanical level



y 8, 1952 D. v. DELANEY 2,602,241

Y MECHANICAL LEVEL Filed June 2, 1950 Fig. 4

Fig. 3 v ,56

Dennis V. Delaney IN VEN TOR.

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Patented July 8, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT QF'FICE I 2,602,241 MECHANICAL LEVEL Dennis V. Delaney, Pittsburg, Kans. Application June 2, 1950, Serial No. 165,815:

Claims. (01. 33-215) This invention comprises novel and useful improvements in a mechanical level and more specifically pertains to a simple and dependable construction of mechanical level which may be more readily read by the user when measuring as a level or plumb.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a simple, sturdy, durable and dependable combination level and plumb which shall be-capable of successfully resisting shocks and capable of being very readily read by the user and may be easily replaced when necessary.

These, together with various ancillary features and objects of the invention which will later become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by the present invention, a preferred embodiment of which has been illustrated by way of example only in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective View showing a combination level and plumb in which the principles of the present invention have been incorporated; Figure 2 is a vertical transverse sectional view through the device of Figure 1 taken substantially upon the plane of the section line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical centrallongitudinal view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 33 of Figure 2 and showing certain structural details of the mechanism of the level; and, I Y Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view showing the mechanical construction of the level in top plan.

Referring now more specifically to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, it will be seen that the numeral l0 designates generally the stock or body of a level which may "be of any suitable and conventional material,

and formed in the customary manner, this body having what may be termed a top surface l2, front and back side surfaces 14, and end "surfaces l5.

I Intermediate its ends and in any desired place or places, the body It) is provided with transverse notches which extend entirely through the same between the two side surfaces I4, and which extend downwardly into the body from the top surface I2, one such notch being illustrated in Figure 1, meral l6.

which notch isindicated by the nu- The edges of this notch are recessed tening screws or the like to the top surface [2 and to the two side surfaces 14 to form a transparent enclosure or casing for the notch in which the mechanism of this invention is housed.

A standard or mounting bracket indicated generally by the numeral 26, which is preferably of metallic construction is provided, the same including a base plate 28 which is attached as by fastening screws or the like 30 to the bottom of the notch or recess it, this base plate at its sides having vertical, parallel spaced side walls 32 which extend upwardly and in parallel relation to the side surfaces 14. Preferably this standard is mounted medially of the ends and sides of the recess and notch 16.

At their upper ends, the side plates or walls 32 have inwardly extending projections 34 hav ing aligned needle points 36 as .shownbest in Figure 2. s

.A pair of side plates 33, which may be formed of any desired material 'are provided, these plates having fiat bases and arcuate edges 40. The plates are secured against the outside surfaces of the side walls 32 in'any desired manner, and serve to completely enclose the working parts of the mechanism which is mounted within the support standard 26. I The center of curvature of the arcuate edges 40 is identical with the axis of the needle points 36 for a purpose which will be later apparent.

Each of the side plates 38 is provided upon its outer surface and adjacent the periphery of the same with suitable indicia 42, which may be calibrated in degrees as indicated in Figure 1.

:- Similar. indicia 44 may be provided upon the edges 40. I

Indicated generally by the numeral 46 is a lever having a counter weight 48 at one end and an elongated portion 50 constituting its other end. The counter weight 48 and the portion 50 extend from opposite sides of a, hub portion 52,

.which is provided with'needle bearings or the as at IE to provide shoulders by means of which 7 I transparent panes 20, 22 are secured as by faslike 54, see Figures 2 and 3,; in which are received the above mentioned needle points 34 whereby the lever is mounted for pivotal -move ment in a vertical plane about a horizontal axis with a minimum ofresistance or friction in its bearings. The counter weight will normally maintain the leverportion '50 in a plumb or vertical position.

At its upper extremity, lwhichiextendsbeyond the edges 40- asufiicient distance: for a Working clearance, the lever is provided with a pair of oppositely, laterally extending arms 56 which thus closely overlie and are movable in closely 3 spaced relation to the arcuate edges 40, thes arms at their outer extremities having inwardly turned tips forming pointers 58 which thus move across the indicia 42, as the arms 56 in traveling over the indicia 44 serve to indicate the inclination of the device.

From the foregoing, it is thought that the construction and operation of the invention will now be readily understood. By means of the relatively large scale or indicia carried by the side plates 38, accurate reading of the device when employed as either a level or plumb is greatly facilitated and rendered more accurate.

Since the construction and operation of the device together with itsmany advantages are believed to be now readily apparent, furtherex planation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the foregoing specification and accompanying drawings, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, but all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention, claimed as new is: y

l. A mechanical level comprising a body, a standard having parallel side walls rising from a base, said base being secured to said body, aligned needle points on adjacent surfaces of said wall, a lever having a hub with jewel bearings journaled on said needle points for oscillation in a vertical plane, said lever having on one end a counterweight on one side of said jewel beanings and extending at its other end on the opposite side thereof, and a pair of parallel plates what is having indicia on the outside surface thereof,

said other end of said lever terminating in oppo-.

secured to the outer surfaces of said walls and plates, said level being completely enclosed and including transparent pane means therein for viewing the position of said pointer means.

2. A mechanical level comprising a body, a standard having parallel side walls rising from a base, said base bein secured, to said body, aligned needle points on adjacent surfaces of said Wall, .a lever having a hub with jewel bearings journaled on said needle points for oscillation in a vertical plane, said lever having on one end acounterweight on one side of'said jewel bearings and extending at its other end on the opposite side thereof, a pair of parallelplates secured to the outer surfaces of said walls and having indicia on the outside wall thereof, said other end of said lever terminating in opposite,

lateral arms each having a pointer overlying and registering with the indicia on one of said plates,

said body having a transverse recess extending therethrough, said standard, lever and plate being mounted in said recess, and means comprising transparent panes for enclosing said, recess and level mechanism. M

3. A mechanical level comprising a body, a standard having parallel side walls rising from a base, said base being secured to said body, V

aligned needle points on adjacent surfaces of said wall, a lever having a hub with jewel bear- "ings journaled on said needle points for oscilla tending therethrough, said standard, lever and plate being mounted medially in said recess and below. the top planar surface of said recess, transparentpanes enclosing said recess.

4. A mechanical level comprising a body, a standard having parallel side walls rising from a base, said base being secured to said body, aligned needle points on adjacent surfaces of said wall, a lever having a hub with jewel bearings journaled on said needle points for oscillation in a'verticalplane, said lever having on one end a counterweight on one side of said jewel bearings and extending at its other end on the opposite side thereof, a pair of parallel plates secured to the outer surfaces of said walls and having indicia on the outside surface thereof, said other end of said lever terminating in opposite, lateral integral arms each having a pointer overlying and registering with the indicia on one of said plates, said body having a transverse recess extending therethrougn'said standard, lever and plate being mounted in said recess below the planar surface of said recess, transparent panes completely enclosing said recess, said needle points extending laterally from the upper edges of said parallelside walls. 7

5. A mechanical level comprising a body, a standard having parallel side walls rising from a base, said'base being secured to said body, aligned needle points on adjacent surfaces of said wall, a lever having a hub with jewel bearings journaled on said needle points for oscillation in a vertical plane, said lever having on one end a counterweight on one side of said jewel bearings and extending at its other end on the opposite side thereof, a pair of parallel plates securedto' theouter surfaces of said walls and DENNIS V. DELANEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTs Number I Name v Date 888,238 Keith May. 19, 1908 937,633 Neidl Oct 19, 1909 1,047,611 Bradley Dec. 17, 1912 1,198,721 Green Sept; 19, 1916 1,239,336 Bair Sept. 4,1917 1,370,567 I Villeneuve Mar. 8, 1921 1,404,393 Henri Jan. 24, 1922 1,409,833 Cook Mar. 14, 1922 

